DA Weekly Newsletter - April 16th, 2024
Defense Advancement
The global ecosystem for defense and security #technology and #innovation.
Here's a round-up of some of today's top technology news and developments in the defense sector...
FT Technologies Ltd ’s FT743-D-SM Acoustic Resonance air speed sensor is being integrated into Inertial Labs, a VIAVI Solutions Company inertial navigation systems (INS).
This Acoustic Resonance air speed sensor enables multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to estimate their horizontal air speed better, enhancing position estimation accuracy in GNSS-denied environments.
Jamie Marraccini , CEO of Inertial Labs, commented; “The use of our INS aiding data ecosystem is a critical advancement in air speed sensor solutions. This enhancement highlights our commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to meet the sophisticated needs of our clients. We are poised to offer unparalleled navigation solutions that cater to various applications, emphasizing our dedication to innovation and excellence.”
Echodyne , the radar platform company, has led a discussion at the second annual Counter UAS Technology Europe 2024 conference.
Echodyne VP of Marketing, Leo McCloskey, discussed important counter-UAS developments in accuracy and mobility at the Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square, London.
“Solving the ‘drone problem’ requires technology and software that, when integrated, contributes high-fidelity, actionable data from attritable COTS platforms,” said Todd Fraser , Chief Revenue Officer at Echodyne.
“Customer requirements are rapidly and radically changing, from fixed and portable to highly mobile, from crewed to uncrewed to platforms, from range as the sole driver to greater emphasis on spatial accuracy. Echodyne is expanding to meet increasing customer demand across Europe, Middle East, and Africa for low SWaP, commercially-exportable radars with superior ESA performance.”
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The initial agreement between Kongsberg Maritime and Austal USA will see Pickering, the fifth ship in the U.S. Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) Heritage Class program, outfitted with the Promas propulsion system.
Kongsberg’s Promas combines a rudder and controllable pitch propeller into one propulsion system. This optimizes the hydrodynamic properties of the ship and delivers increased efficiency and thrust while using less energy. For the new OPC vessel, as well as twin Promas, Kongsberg Maritime will supply steering gear, rudders, fin stabilizers and tunnel thrusters.
Björn ten Eicken , Kongsberg Maritime, Vice President – Naval, commented; “Kongsberg Maritime has a proud history of supplying mission critical technology to United States Coast Guard programs.
“We have supplied our propulsion systems for naval and governmental forces for more than 80 years, and we’re delighted to have developed an efficient and effective system specifically suited to the challenging and varied operations of these new ships. Our Promas systems typically deliver efficiency savings of around 6%, so vessels are able to extend their range, something which can be crucial on longer missions.
“We’re looking forward to working with the Coast Guard and Austal USA on delivering these highly-capable ships.”
In a mission 26-hour 20-minute mission, Gogo | Satcom Direct Government (SDG) and the U.S. Air Force (USAF) have successfully tested the Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO) Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) Satellite Communications (SATCOM) capability of the SD/R4i Tactical Removable Airborne Satellite Communications (TRASC) BLOS solution.
Following the intense validation flight aboard a Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Hercules, the SD/R4i TRASC BLOS solution is now fully available for U.S. Air Force use.
Hayden Olson , Head of SD Government, stated; “SD prides itself on rigorously testing all our equipment before we put it into service. The success of this endurance flight exemplifies the power of our advanced technology and its versatility in delivering new capabilities to our forces.
“We are proud to add this connectivity solution to our growing military portfolio and look forward to supporting the system as it enters into service. We are already receiving requests for demonstrations of the capabilities of the equipment to USAF representatives, such is the interest in the system.”